Jotenkaku Museum

EXHIBITION

The Courtly World of Emperor Go-Mizunoo

Phase I: May 31 (Sun) – July 26 (Sun), 2026 / Phase II: August 2 (Sun) – September 27 (Sun), 2026

The Courtly World of Emperor Go-Mizunoo

Period I: May 31 (Sun) – July 26 (Sun), 2026
Period II: August 2 (Sun) – September 27 (Sun), 2026

Overview

Founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu during Japan’s Muromachi period, Shokoku-ji Temple lost many of its structures to fires during the turmoils of the medieval ages. In the early modern era, Emperor Go-Mizunoo, the leader of Kan’ei-era culture, reached out to the monks who were hard at work on reconstruction. Emperor Go-Mizunoo took Buddhist vows under Kinshuku Kentaku, a monk of Shokoku-ji Temple, and reconstructed several temples. Due to Emperor Go-Mizunoo’s interest in Zen, the practice of aristocratic families sending sons into the priesthood, and the temple’s proximity to the Imperial Palace, Shokoku-ji Temple and its subtemples built close ties to Imperial court society. As a result, many objects associated with the court and the nobility remain preserved at the temple. We invite you to the exhibit room to view numerous temple treasures evoking the splendid culture that colored 17th-century Kyoto.

Exhibition Structure

Section 1Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Zen

[ Major Works ]
Historical record of temple buildings donated by Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection
First public exhibit Portrait of Emperor Go-Mizunoo by Imperial Prince Yukihito, with inscription by Emperor Reigen, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection (Image 1)
Portrait of Muso Kokushi by Cloistered Imperial Prince Gyojo; Portrait of Fumyo Kokushi; Portrait of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu by Tan’yū, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection (Phase II)
Kakumeiki by Horin Josho, 30 volumes, Rokuon-ji Temple Collection (Image 2)

Section 2Family Temples of the Imperial Household

[ Major Works ]
Painting of Daruma by Emperor Go-Yozei, Jisho-in Temple Collection
Portrait of Imperial Prince Hachijo Toshihito, Jisho-in Temple Collection
Waka poems by Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Jisho-in Temple Collection (Phase II)
Twenty-eight waka poems by Cloistered Imperial Prince Doko, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection (Phase I) (Image 3)
Painting of Hotei by Emperor Go-Komyo, Jisho-in Temple Collection (Phase I)
Waka poetry on calligraphic paper by Emperor Go-Sai, Jisho-in Temple Collection (Phase I)

Section 3Calligraphy and Paintings by 17th-Century Zen Monks

[ Major Works ]
“Yuzan Gansui” ink calligraphy by Horin Josho, Rokuon-ji Temple Collection (Phase I) (Image 4)
Painting of dancing Hotei by Shokado Shojo, with inscription by Takuan Soho, Rokuon-ji Temple Collection (Phase II)

Section 4Splendorous Art of Kyoto

[ Major Works ]
Four seasons landscape screen by Sumiyoshi Jokei, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection
Tan’yu miniature sketches by Kano Tan’yu, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection
Important Cultural Property “Narrow Ivy Road Folding Screen” by Tawaraya Sotatsu, with inscription by Karasumaru Mitsuhiro, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection (Phase I) (Image 5)
Important Cultural Property “Kaga” red raku tea bowl by Hon’ami Koetsu, Shokoku-ji Temple Collection (Image 6)
Bamboo flower vase accompanied by letter from Kanamori Sowa, Rokuon-ji Temple Collection
Openwork bowl with painted Tatsuta River design by Ogata Kenzan, Jijo-ji Temple Collection (Phase II)

Exhibition Information

Exhibition Dates
Phase I: May 31 (Sun) – July 26 (Sun), 2026
Phase II: August 2 (Sun) – September 27 (Sun), 2026
Closed
July 27 (Mon) – August 1 (Sat), 2026
Hours
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Admission Fees
Adults ¥1,000
University/High School Students ¥800
Middle School Students ¥500

*Groups: ¥800 for groups of 20 adults or more
*Guests with a disability certificate and one caregiver are admitted free of charge.

Organized by
Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum
Sponsored by
Mannenkai Foundation, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji

Related Events

Commemorative Lecture: “Edo Period Court Buddhist Rites and Shokoku-ji Temple”

Date and Time
August 29 (Sat),
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Lecturer
Kazuki Sato (Associate Professor, Nagoya University)
Location
2nd Floor Auditorium (Doors open at 1:30 PM)
Capacity
Limited to first 80 participants

*Same-day admission tickets are required for all events.

Items for sale

Limited Edition Goshuin (Temple Stamp)

This special goshuin temple stamp commemorates
“The Courtly World of Emperor Go-Mizunoo”.
Donation: ¥400

*In written note format.

Goshuin

Press release

  • May 25, 2026

    Press release published for “The Courtly World of Emperor Go-Mizunoo”